Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated January 20, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
Word provides a way you can adjust the horizontal size of characters in your document. Actually, the scaling can be applied to any characters in a selection. To format characters in this way, follow these steps:
Figure 1. The Character Spacing tab of the Font dialog box.
If you find you have a need to scale quite a few selections in your documents, you can add a scaling tool to a toolbar:
Figure 2. The Commands tab of the Customize dialog box.
With the Character Scaling tool in place, you can easily change the scaling of any selected text at any time.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (607) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Adjusting the Width of Characters.
Do More in Less Time! An easy-to-understand guide to the more advanced features available in the Microsoft 365 version of Word. Enhance the quality of your documents and boost productivity in any field with this in-depth resource. Complete your Word-related tasks more efficiently as you unlock lesser-known tools and learn to quickly access the features you need. Check out Microsoft 365 Word For Professionals For Dummies today!
If you use small caps text in a document, you know that there are several steps involved in properly formatting the text. ...
Discover MoreImagine that you are typing away, and all of a sudden your beautiful prose turns into a series of small rectangles that ...
Discover MoreDo you want a superscript and subscript character to appear directly above each other without using the Equation Editor? ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments